Bad Water
Carroll Lyrics

The lyrics to Carroll’s song “Bad Water” depict the singer’s observations and feelings towards California and the unfortunate effects of contaminated water. The first verse describes dropping pennies in a shallow pool to test if luck feels heavy. This may suggest a lack of belief in luck and superstitions, and a sense of cruelty for testing something that may not exist. The second line suggests that the singer may be even more cruel than this act of testing luck. The second verse talks about how California makes someone’s face look new, potentially alluding to the idea of California being a place where people go to reinvent themselves. However, bad water can make someone feel like running. This could be interpreted as the contaminated water making people feel sick or wanting to leave the area due to poor living conditions. The wires being talked through may represent communication channels that keep people connected, despite the harmful effects of the water.

The chorus “Bad water makes your body glow / They're looking for a good replacement / Get clean with soap / After we taste it” further emphasizes the harmful effects of the contaminated water. The “glow” could suggest the harmful chemicals reacting with the body, causing damage. The line “They’re looking for a good replacement” suggests that people are searching for alternatives but may not have access to any. The last line “After we taste it” implies that people have no choice but to consume it, further emphasizing the sense of helplessness and desperation.

Overall, Carroll’s song “Bad Water” shows a bleak depiction of California, and the unfortunate effects of contaminated water.